The Gambia Skills Qualification Framework (GSQF) under The National Training Authority (NTA), was on Wednesday launched at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. The theme of the launching was “making skills work”.

The framework aims to provide a coherent structure of standard qualification and processes, developed and maintained in a quality assured manner, with a view to improve, regularise and localise the attainment of occupational skills.

In launching the programme on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh, the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Kanja Sanneh said with the changing of economic and social conditions, the success of any country is now centered on education and skills training. He added that human capital is a key factor in the fight against unemployment and low wages.

The Gambia Skills Qualification Framework is a step in the right direction and government will continue to give subvention to NTA until it is financially strong. “Government will support the establishment of skill centres in all regions of the country. The funding of this framework will be a priority for my government as I have always said that The Gambia needs a qualified human resource to strengthen the economy of this country”, he stated.

Speaking earlier, the Secretary of State for Education, Fatou Lamin Faye, said that the launching is a laudable achievement for the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the country.
She added that the development of the programme in The Gambia was slow until the APRC government came into power. “As there was no policy for the TVET, it was shunned by donors due to its lack of direction. The goverment, knowing the importance of the programme in national development decided to give it the prominence it deserves.
From thereon, the European Union took it upon itself and sponsored the development of a policy for TVET. This was started in 1996 and finalized in 2002. The policy was approved by the cabinet and ratified by the National Assembly in December 2002”, she explained.

Mr Ousman Nyang, Director General of NTA said that the framework is targeted at vocational levels including other processes in technical, vocational education and training. He added that the framework will also reduce unemployment, poverty and the marginalisation of young people especially women.

For his part, Mr Pap Nalla Fall, the Chairman of the National Employees Council of Senegal, said the inception and the launching of the Gambia Skills Qualification Framework (GSQF) is relevant and timely, describing it as the best way to acquire knowledge and skills qualification through the promotion and development of technical education and vocational training for a fast and effective socio-economic growth in the country. He said, vocational education training is greatly needed in African countries noting that “the most industrialised nations like Germany, Korea, Malaysia, Finland and Ireland were able to develop due to competent human resources”.

He dilated on the need for public and private dialogue and partnership in the formal and non-formal sectors, as the availability of quality human resources is important for investment.

Others speakers at the conference included Akie Allen, Vice-Chairman, NTA Board of Directors, Madam Maria Overeem and John O Sullivan of the EU.